Shelf support



Dec. 23, 1969 Filed Sept. 15, 1967 c. o. LARSON SHELF SUPPORT uooooo ooooo 2 00ooW CHZRLES QLAAEUN 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR.

Dec. 23, 1969 c. o. LARSON 3,435,332

SHELF SUPPORT Filed Sept. 15, 1967 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VENTOR. 70 CHARLES 0. LA RSO/V ATTQR/VEXS Dec. 23, 1969 v 0. LARSON 3.485.382

' samm SUPPORT Filed Sept. 15, 1967 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN VENTOR. CHARLES 0. LARSON ZQQJL 44 W aw/ 422 HTTW-P/VEYS United States Patent US. Cl. 211-150 12 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A shelf support for supporting a generally planar shelf on an upstanding pegboard having a plurality of holes arranged in equidistantly spaced horizontal rows and vertical.columns, whereby theshelf may be disposed in any one of a plurality of angular positions wit-h respect to the plane of the pegboard, the shelf support comprising a first base having a rear surface adapted to bear against the face of the associated pegboard, first mounting means integral with one edge of the first base and extending outwardly therefrom for mounting the first base on the associated pegboard, an elongated arm pivotally carried by the first base and extending outwardly therefrom in a direction generally opposite to the first mounting means and being pivotally movable toward and away from the one edge of the base, the arm having a generally planar upper surface whereby the arm is adapted to support one end of an associated shelf positioned thereupon, a second base having a rear surface adapted to bear against the face of the associated pegboard, second mounting means integral wit-h one edge of the second base and extending outwardly therefrom for mounting the second base on the associated pegboard, an elongated brace pivotally carried by the second base and extending outwardly therefrom in a direction generally opposite to the second mounting means, the outer end of the brace being pivotally connected to the arm between the ends of the arm, whereby the second base and the brace cooperate with the associated pegboard to support the arm in any one of a number of angular positions with respect to the plane of the associated pegboard with the angular position of the arm being determined by the distance between the first and second bases when the bases are mounted on the associated pegboard, and stop means carried by the arm and extending out of the planar upper surface thereof for engaging the outer edge of an associated shelf supported by the arm, thereby to prevent outward movement of the shelf relative thereto.

This invention relates to a shelf support adapted for use with pegboard displays, and more particularly to a shelf support capable of supporting a generally planar shelf on an upstanding pegboard in any one of a plurality of angular positions with respect to the plane of the pegboard.

It is a primary object of the invention to provide a shelf support which includes an elongated support arm pivotally carried on a first mounting base, and a brace pivotally carried on a second mounting base and pivotally interconnected to the support arm, which brace serves to position the support arm at a desired angular positionrelative to the plane of the associated pegboard.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a shelf support of the character noted which further includes stop means carried by the support arm and adapted to prevent a shelf positioned upon the shelf support from sliding outwardly and oft" the shelf support when the shelf is disposed in an angular position of less than 90 with respect to the plane of the associated pegboard.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a shelf support of the character noted, wherein the aforeice mentioned stop means is adjustably carried by the shelf support whereby the shelf support can accommodate shelves of various depths thereon and still prevent outward sliding movement of the associated shelf when the shelf is disposed at an angular position of less than relative to the plane of the pegboard.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a shelf support of the character noted which may be inexpensively fabricated from sheet metal o1- the like, but yet is strong enough to support one end of a shelf on a pegboard in any one of a plurality of angular positions with respect to the plane of the pegboard, without distortion of the shelf support and without distorting or damaging the associated pegboard in the areas thereof adjacent to which the shelf support is attached.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a shelf support of the character noted, wherein the aforementioned support arm is generally U-shaped in cross section normal to the longitudinal axis thereof and has a generally planar bight and generally planar side flanges disposed normal thereto whereby the arm is adapted to support one end of an associated shelf positioned upon the planar bight, and wherein the aforementioned brace comprises a generally U-shaped channel member having planar side flanges and a central portion extending therebetween with the outer ends of the side flanges of the brace eX- tending longitudinally beyond the outer ends of the central portion and overlying the respective side flanges of the arm.

Further features of the invention pertain to the particular arrangement of the elements of the shelf support, whereby the above-outlined and additional operating features thereof are attained.

The invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following specification taken in connection. with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a pegboard display having two pairs of shelf supports embodying the present invention mounted thereon and illustrating a pair of shelves respectively supported thereupon in two angular positions with respect to the plane of the pegboard;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view taken along the line 22 in FIGURE 1 illustrating the shelf supports supporting shelves thereupon in two angular positions with respect to the plane of an associated pegboard, and wherein one of the shelf supports carries two embodiments of the stop means of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 3-3 in FIG. 2, showing the connection between the arm and the brace;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4-4 in FIG. 2, illustrating the pivotal mounting arrangement of the arm on the first base;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 55 in FIG. 2, illustrating the pivotal mounting arrangement of the brace on the second base;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line 6-6 in FIG. 2, illustrating a first embodiment of stop means contemplated by the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line 77 in FIG. 2, illustrating a second embodiment of stop means contemplated by the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGURE 1 thereof, there is illustrated a display, designated generally as 10, which includes a pair of generally rectangular upstanding pegboards, 11, each having front and rear surfaces 12 and 13 respectively. The pegboards 11 are mounted by screws 14 to an upstanding support having side braces 15 and a bottom brace 16. The display stands upon legs 17 fastened to the bottom brace 16, the legs 17 being respectively disposed in bases 18, whereby the display 10 is supported in an upright position. Each pegboard 11 has a plurality of holes 19 therein arranged in equidistantly spaced horizontal rows and vertical columns, the holes 19 therethrough being adapted to receive supporting prongs of various types of brackets or display hooks for attachment to the pegboard 11.

Also as shown in FIG. 1, four shelf supports 20 are mounted on the pegboard 11, one pair of the shelf supports supporting a first shelf 21 at a first angular position with respect to the plane of the pegboard 11, and the other pair of shelf supports supporting a second shelf 22 at a second angular position with respect to the pegboard 11.

As best seen in FIG. 2, each of the shelf supports 20 comprises a first base 30 having a rear surface 31 adapted to bear against the face 12 of the associated pegboard 11. A first plurality of mounting prongs 32 is integrally formed with one edge 33 of the first base 30, which prongs extend outwardly therefrom. Each of the first mounting prongs 32 comprises a relatively straight first leg element 34 having one end formed integrally with the edge 33 of the first base 30 and extending at right angles to the plane of the first base 30. Each of the first leg elements 34 is of suflicient length to extend through the openings 19 in the pegboard 11, and thus the length of each of the first leg elements 34 is determined by the thickness of the pegboard with which the shelf support 20 is to be used. Normally, the thickness of the pegboard will be at least one-quarter inch and the thickness of the material from which the shelf support 20 is formed will be less than the thickness of the pegboard with which it is to be used.

A second leg element 35 is carried by the outer end of the first leg element 34 and is disposed normal thereto, whereby the second leg element 35 extends in the opposite direction to the first base 30. The second leg element 35 comprises a front surface 36 that is substantially parallel to the plane of the first base 30 and offset with respect to the rear surface 31 of the first base 30 a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the pegboard 11. As best seen in FIG. 2, the upstanding second leg element 35 extends upwardly above the opening 19 a sufficient distance so that the flat surface 36 thereof may bear against the rear surface 13 of the pegboard 11 after the mounting prongs 32 have been inserted through the cooperative openings 19.

Also as shown in the drawings, the base 30 preferably includes a second plurality of mounting members 37 integrally formed with the opposite edges 38 of the base 30. Each of the second mounting members 37 comprises a single leg element 39 which extends outwardly from the base 30 in the same direction as the first leg element 34 of the prongs 32. The leg elements 39 are disposed substantially normal to the first base 30 and each has a length equal to the thickness of the pegboard 11, whereby each leg element 39 is insertable through the openings 19 in the pegboard 11. The leg elements 39 provide additional support for the base 30 on the pegboard 11, thereby to distribute the forces applied to the pegboard 11 by the shelf support 20 over a greater area of the pegboard.

It will be apparent from FIG. 4 that the spaces between each of the adjacent mounting prongs 32 is equal to the spacing between two adjacent holes 19 in the pegboard 11. Likewise, the spaces between each of the adjacent mounting members 37 is equal to the space between two adjacent openings 19 in the pegboard 11. It will be also understood that the mounting prongs 32 and the mounting members 37 are vertically spaced on the first base 30 such that when the base 30 is mounted on the pegboard 11, each of the mounting prongs 32 and the mounting members 37 will be received by vertically spaced openings 19 on the pegboard.

The shelf support 20 further comprises an elongated support arm designated generally as 40, pivotally carried by the first base and extending outwardly therefrom in a direction generally opposite to the first mounting member 32. As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the major portion of the arm is preferably generally U-shaped in cross section normal to the longitudinal axis thereof and has a generally planar bight 41 and generally planar side flanges 42 disposed normal thereto. The bight 41 of the arm 40 faces toward the edge 33 of the first base 30, whereby the arm 40 is adapted to support one end of an associated shelf such as the shelf illustrated by the dashed lines 22 positioned thereupon.

In the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, it will be seen that the first base 30 is substantially wider than the bight 41 of the arm 40. The arm 40 is pivotally con nected to the first base 30 by fastening means which comprise a pair of angle members 43. Each of the angle members 43 includes a first leg 44 disposed parallel to the first base 30 and a second leg 45 disposed parallel to one of the side flanges 42 of the arm 40. The first leg 44 of each angle member 43 is welded or riveted to the front surface of the first base 30, as shown at 46. The second legs 45 of each angle member 43 is pivotally connected to the respective side flange 42 of the arm 40 so that the arm 40 is pivotally movable toward and away from the edge 33 of the first base 30. As best seen in FIG. 4, the pivotal connection is accomplished by means of a pin 47 passing through suitably aligned openings in the side flanges 42 and in the second legs 45 of the angle members 43. Each end of the pin 47 has a head 48 which is larger than the openings in the second legs 45 to prevent lateral movement of the pin out of the openings.

The shelf support 20 further comprises a second base 130 having a plurality of mounting prongs 132 and a plurality of mounting members 137. As illustrated in the drawings, the second base 130, the second mounting prongs 132, and the second mounting members 137 are substantially identical to the first base 30, the first mounting prongs 32, and the first mounting members 37, and will, therefore, not be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the bases and mounting means need not be identical.

The shelf support 20 further comprises a brace 50 pivotally carried by the second base 130 and extending outwardly therefrom in a direction generally opposite to the second mounting prongs 132. As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the brace 50 comprises a generally U-shaped channel member having parallel side flanges 51 and a central portion 52 extending therebetween, the outer ends of the side flanges 51 extending longitudinally beyond the respective ends of the central portion 52.

The brace 50 is pivotally connected to the second base 130 by fastening means which comprise a pair of angle members 53. Each of the angle members 53 includes a first leg 54 disposed parallel to the second base 130 and a second leg 55 disposed parallel to one of the side flanges 51 of the brace 50. The first leg 54 of each angle member 53 is welded or riveted to the front surface of the second base as shown at 56. The second leg 55 of each angle member 53 is pivotally connected to the respective side flange 51 of the brace 50 so that the brace 50 is pivotally movable relative to the second base 130. As best seen in FIG. 5, the pivotal connection is accomplished by means of a pin 57 passing through suitably aligned openings in the side flanges 51 and in the second legs 55 of the angle members 53. Each end of the pin has a head 58 which is larger than the openings in .the second legs 55, thereby to prevent lateral movement of the pin out of the openings.

The outer end of the brace 50 is pivotally connected to the arm 40 between the ends of the arm 40, whereby the brace 50 and arm 40 are movable relative to each other. As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the outer ends of the side flanges 51 of the brace 50 overlie the side flanges 42 of the arm 40. The pivotal connection between the arm 40 and the brace 50 is accomplished by way of a pin 60 passing through suitable aligned openings in the side flanges 51 of the brace 50 and in the side flanges 42 of the arm 40. Each end of the pin 60 has a head 61 which is larger than the openings in the side flanges 51 of the brace 50, thereby to prevent lateral movement of the pin 60 out of the openings.

As shown in FIG. 2, the support arm 40 may be disposed in any one of a number of angular positions with respect to the plane of the pegboard 11, which positions are determined by the vertical distance between the first base 30 and the second base 130 on the pegboard 11, the brace 50 serving to firmly hold the support arm 40 in the selected angular position.

The shelf support 20 is further provided with a stop member which is carried by the support arm 40 and extends beyond the planar bight portion 41 thereof for engaging the outer edge of an associated shelf. The stop member prevents the associated shelf positioned on the arm from sliding outwardly and of the shelf 20 when the shelf is disposed in an angular position of less than 90 with respect to the plane of the associated pegboard. A first embodiment of such stop member is designated generally as 70, and comprises a plate 71 having edge flanges 72 integral therewith and normal to the plane thereof. The edge flanges 72 are adapted to overlie the side flanges 42 of the support arm 40. The edge flanges 72 are pivotally connected to the side flanges 42 of the support arm 40 by means of a pin 73 passing through suitable aligned openings provided in the side flanges 42 and the edge flanges 72. Each end of the pin 73 has a head 74 which is larger than the openings in the edge flanges 72, thereby to prevent lateral movement of the pin out of the openlllgS.

The pivotal connections enable the plate 71 to be pivoted between a first position, wherein the plate 71 overlies the bight 41 on the planar surface of the arm 40, as shown by the support arm in the upper portion of FIG. 2, and a second position, wherein the plate 71 extends out of and above the bight 41 of the arm 40 for engaging the outer edge of the associated shelf 21 supported by the arm 40, thereby to prevent out-ward movement of the shelf 21 relative to the arm 40, as shown in the lower portion of FIG. 2, when the arm .is disposed at an angular position of less than 90 relative to the plane of the associated pegboard. I

Asecond adjustable stop member, cooperable withthe shelf support of the present invention, is illustrated in FIGS, 2 and 7 and is designated generally as 80. The stop member 80 comprises a generally U-shaped member having a generally planar bight 81 and generally planar side flanges 82, the bottom portion of the side flanges 82 being turned inwardly to provide re-entry flanges 83 at the bottom thereof. It will be understood that the stop memher 80 is longitudinally movable relative to the arm 40. i

To lock the stop member 80 in adesired position on the arm 40, the stop member is provided with a threaded member 84 which extends through an opening provided in the bight 81 and engages a nut 85 disposed below the bight 81. When the stop member 80 is positioned at the position less than relative to the plane" of the peg- 2 J board. A v x The shelf support 20 may be easily removed from the pegboard 11 and relocated at any desired position and in a selected angular relation on the pegboard by first inserting the second leg elements 36 of the first mounting prongs 32 into a corresponding number of openings 19 at the desired location, and then pivoting the first base 30 downwardly to insert the lower leg elements 39 into their corresponding number of openings, whereby the rear surface 31 of the first base 30 is brought into contact with the face 12 of the pegboard. The desired angular position is then established and the second base is mounted on the pegboard in the same manner. In such position, the shelf support 20 is firmly and securely carried by the pegboard. Upon properly positioning of a pair of the shelf supports 20 so that the bights 41 of the arm 40 thereof are substantially parallel, a planar shelf member may be positioned thereupon in any one of a plurality of angular positions with respect to the plane of the pegboard.

While there has been described what is at present considered to be the preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be understood that various modifications may be made therein.

What is claimed is:

1. A shelf support for supporting a generally planar shelf on an upstanding pegboard having a plurality of holes arranged in equidistantly spaced horizontal rows and vertical columns whereby the shelf may be disposed in any one of a plurality of angular positions with respect to the plane of the pegboard, said shelf support comprising a first base having a rear surface adapted to bear against the face of the associated pegboard, first mounting means integral with one edge of said first base and extending outwardly therefrom for mounting said first base on the associated pegboard, an elongated arm pivotally carried by said first base and extending outwardly therefrom in a direction generally opposite to said first mounting means and being pivotally movable toward and away from said one edge of said first base, said arm having a generally planar upper surface whereby said arm is adapted to support one end of an associated shelf positioned thereupon, a second base having a rear surface adapted to bear against the face of the associated pegboard, second mounting means integral with one edge of said second base and extending outwardly therefrom for mounting said second base on the associated pegboard, an elongated brace pivotally carried by said second base and extending outwardly therefrom in a direction generally opposite to said second mounting means, the outer end of said brace being pivotally connected. to said arm between the ends thereof, whereby said second base and said brace cooperate with the associated pegboard to support said arm in any one of a number of angular positions with respect to the plane of the associated pegboard with the angular position of said arm being determined by the distance between said first and second bases when said bases are mounted on the associated pegboard, and stop means carried by said arm and extending out of said planar upper surface thereof for engaging the outer edge of an associated shelf support by said arm thereby to prevent outward movement of the shelf relative thereto.

2. The shelf support set forth in claim 1, and further comprising fastening means for pivotally securing said arm to said first base, said fastening means comprising a pair of angle members each having one leg respectively secured to the front surface of said first base and the other leg extending outwardly therefrom, and means respectively securing said side flanges of said arm to the respective ones of said outwardly extending legs,

3. The shelf support set forth in claim 1, wherein said arm and said brace comprise a generally U-shaped channel member having parallel side flanges and a central portion extending therebetween, the outer ends of said side flanges on said brace extending longitudinally beyond the respective ends of said central portion.

i 4. The shelf support set forth in claim 1, wherein sai stop means carried by said arm is disposed at the outer end of said arm.

5. The shelf support set forth in claim 1, wherein said stop means is movable relative to the longitudinal axis of said arm, whereby said shelf support is adapted to accommodate shelves of various depths thereon.

6. The shelf support set forth in claim 1, wherein said stop means comprises a plate pivotally carried at the outer end of said arm, said plate being movable between a first position whereby said plate overlies the planar surface of said arm, and a second position wherein said plate" is substantially normal to said arm and extends beyond the planar surface thereof for engagement with the outer edge of an associated shelf.

7. A shelf support for supporting a generally planar shelf on an upstanding pegboard having a plurality of holes arranged in equidistantly spaced horizontal rows and vertical columns, whereby the shelf may be disposed in any one of a plurality of angular positions with respect to the plane of the pegboard, said shelf support comprising, a first base having a rear surface adapted to bear against the face of the associated pegboard, first mounting means integral with one edge of said first base and extending outwardly therefrom for mounting said first base on the associated pegboard, an elongated arm pivotally carried by said first base and extending outwardly therefrom in a direction generally opposite to said first mounting means and being pivotally movable toward and away from said one edge of said base, said arm being gen erally U-shaped in cross Section normal to the longitudinal axis thereof and having a generally planar bight and generally planar side flanges disposed normal thereto whereby said arm is adapted to support one end of an associated shelf positioned upon said planar bight, a second base having a rear surface adapted to bear against the face of the associated pegboard, second mounting means integral with one edge of said second base and extending outwardly therefrom for mounting said second base on the associated pegboard, an elongated brace pivotally carried by said second base and extending outwardly therefrom in a direction generally opposite to said second mounting means, said brace comprising a generally U-shaped channel member having planar side flanges and a central portion extending therebetween With the outer ends of said side flanges of said brace extending longitudinally beyond the outer ends of said central portion and overlying the respective side flanges of said arm, means pivotally connecting said side flanges of said brace to said side flanges of said arm whereby said brace and said arm are pivotally movable with respect to each other, whereby said second base and said brace are adapted to cooperate with the associated pegboard to support said arm in any one of a number of angular positions with respect to the plane of the associated pegboard with the angular position of said arm being determined by the distance between said first and second bases when said bases are mounted on the associated pegboard, and stop means carried by said arm and extending out of said planar bight thereof for engaging the outer edge of an associated shelf supported by said arm thereby to prevent outward movement of the shelf relative thereto when said arm is disposed in an angular position of less than 90 with respect to the plane of the associated pegboard.

8. The shelf support set forth in claim 7, wherein each of said first and second mounting means comprises a first leg element integral with said one edge of the respective one of said bases and extending outwardly therefrom, said first leg element being disposed substantially normal to the-respective one of said bases and having a length substantially equal to the thickness of an associated pegboard, and a second leg element carried by the outer end of said first leg element and disposed normal thereto and extending in the opposite direction to the respective one of said bases, whereby each of said first and second mounting means is insertible through an opening in said pegboard with said first leg element thereof being adapted normally to rest on the associated pegboard within the opening so as to support the respective one of said bases thereon with the second leg element thereof being adapted to bear against the rear surface of the associated pegboard to prevent withdrawal of the respective one of said bases from the opening while the base is disposed on the pegboard. i

9. The shelf support set forth in claim 8, wherein each of said first and second bases further comprises a third leg element integral with the edge of the respect-ive base opposite to said one edge of the-said third leg element extending outwardly and disposed substantially normalto the respective one of said bases and having a length substantially equal to the thickness of the associated pegboard, whereby said third leg element is insertible through an opening in the associated pegboard when the respective one of said bases is disposed thereon thereby to provide additional support for the respective base on the associated pegboard.

10. The shelf support set forth in claim 7, and further comprising first fastening means for pivotally securing said arm to said first base and second fastening means for pivotally securing said brace to said second base, each of said first and second fastening means comprising a pair of angle members, each angle member having one leg respectively secured to the outer surface of the respective one of said bases and the other leg thereof extending outwardly therefrom, a first pivot pin pivotally connecting the side flanges of said arm to the outwardly extending legs of said first fastening means and a second pivot pin pivotally connecting the side flanges of said brace to the outwardly extending legs of said second fastening means.

11. The shelf support set forth in claim 7, wherein said stop means comprises a plate having edge flanges integral therewith and normal to the plane thereof, said edge flanges overlying the respective side flanges of said arm, and means pivotally connecting said edge flanges to said side flanges whereby said plate is movable between a first position, wherein said plate overlies the bight of said arm, and a second position, wherein said plate is substantially normal to said arm and extends beyond the bight thereof for engagement with the outer edge of an associated shelf.

12. The shelf support set forth in claim 7, wherein said stop means carried by said arm comprises a generally U-shaped member having a generally planar bight and generally planar side flanges, the bottom portion of said side flanges being turned inwardly to provide reentry flanges adapted to overlie the side flanges of said arm whereby said stop means is carried by said arm for longitudinal movement relative thereto so that said arm can accommodate shelves of various depths thereon, said stop means further including a threaded member extend ing through the bight of said U-shaped member and having an inner end adapted to engage the planar bight of said arm, so that rotation of said member in a first direction causes the inner end of said threaded member to tightly engage the planar bight of said arm, thereby firmly to hold said stop means in a selected position on said arm.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS EDWARD C. ALLEN, Primary Examiner R. D. KRAUS, Assistant Examiner US. or. X.R. 

